Woodland's new Dollar General part of state growth

Dollar General's expansion into California has proven so successful, store officials say they're planning on opening 50 more stores in the state next year.

The chain opened in Woodland ahead of schedule in mid-December, at 9 Main St., inside Purity Plaza.

"We expanded into California last year and will meet our goal of opening 50 stores in 2012," said Dollar General spokeswoman Crystal Ghassemi in an email to The Democrat. "We have been well received in California, reflective of our 2013 goals that include an additional 50 stores in the state."

The company chose Woodland specifically after studying demographic trends, competitive factors and traffic patterns into consideration, according to Ghassemi.

"When we choose new locations, our first priority is meeting our customers' needs," Ghassemi said. "We look for locations where we can offer customers an easy and convenient shopping choice. In fact, 70 percent of our stores serve communities with populations of less than 20,000."

Dollar General stores are typically 7,200 square feet and employ six to 10 people, depending on need.

Merchandise selection is based on the needs of the households seeking value and convenience in their community, according to Ghassemi.

The store ranks among the largest retailers of brands made by American manufacturers, such as Procter and Gamble, Kimberly Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills and Nabisco, according to the company's website.

Dollar General fills the void left vacant by Hollywood Video in the northwest corner of the Plaza several years ago.